The jist of the Nye article was that states must integrate themselves into single economic market, and then gradually become a political unit. A regional group economic group formation will lead to various types of formal and informal governmental regional organizations, shifting power from central state governments towards the regional level. Europe would be the best example of this, although not exactly.
I'm not an expert on Belgium, but it appears that Belgium as a state was created nearly out of nowhere in order to create a buffer between France and Germany. Finally, after nearly 200 years, the country is on the verge of division.
The economies of the two regions are inextricably intertwined, and separation would be a fiscal nightmare.
Then there is the issue of the national debt (90 percent of Belgium’s gross domestic product) and how to divide it equitably.
But there is also deep resentment in Flanders that its much healthier economy must subsidize the French-speaking south, where unemployment is double that of the north.
I suppose that the current economic situation will not allow Belgium to split up immediately. I find this ecnomic integration in stark contrast with the political situation in the country:
Contributing to the difficulty in forming a new government now is the fact that all 11 parties in the national Parliament are local, not national, parties. The country has eight regional or language-based parliaments.
Why didn't economic unity create a more central Belgium government?
Of course, the irony is that Belgium is all for EU integration, and the headquarters of the EU itself is located in Brussels.
I think this might serve as an example of how integrating an area into a political and economic market might fail. It seems the Belgium state found itself incapable of federalising itself effectively. Are different ethnic groups really willing to give up their determination?
1 comment:
The Belgium case is an interesting one. Federalism, as you mentioned, is a key issue, but more so because Belgium may have federalized too effectively; many areas of control have been devolved from the federal level down to the regions or other local governments. The regional conflict within Belgium far predates the start of European integration-- I'd be interested to hear more of your thoughts on why you think the EU would serve to ameliorate this problem.
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